Literature
Anchee Min
St. Ambrose University
Thursday, November 6, 5:30 p.m.
For this year's eighth-annual International Women Authors Event hosted by the Women's Connection - taking place at St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center on November 6 - the guest speaker is award-winning author Anchee Min. And I truly don't mean to trivialize our area visitor or the speaker's past in any way, but I think I've now found my dream role if anyone ever commits Min's life story to the screen. I'd be absolutely perfect for the part ... if only I were 10 years older ... and a woman ... and Chinese-American ... and a much, much better writer ... .
Born in 1957 and raised in Communist Shanghai, Min was sent to a collective farm at age 17, where she endured mental and physical hardships including a severe spinal-cord injury. After three years of labor, she was selected to appear in a propaganda film for Madame Mao. Yet after Chairman Mao died (resulting in the film project's cancellation) and Madame Mao was arrested and sentenced to death, Min was deemed a political outcast by association, publicly disgraced, and, as she told the New York Times, "ready to kill myself."
Yet in 1984, with the assistance of an aunt and a friend from school (Twin Peaks actress Joan Chen!), Min secured a passport, had another friend fill out the forms, and applied to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago - the only American college she could find that required no proof of proficiency in English. She was accepted, and arrived in Chicago ... and was promptly dismissed from the school when the truth of her inability to speak English was revealed. She was given six months to become proficient in the language before being deported.
And that, folks, is kind of the beginning of Min's story.
Cutting to the triumphant ending, Min is now the published author of eight books, the winner of the Carl Sandburg Award for her memoir Red Azalea, and the beneficiary of extraordinary critical praise, with the New York Times calling her "a wild, passionate, and fearless American writer." The Women's Connection event, meanwhile, will find Min discussing her history and her most recent memoir The Cooked Seed. But remember: If she makes any mention of a forthcoming bio-pic, back off. Mine.
The Women's Connection would appreciate reservations being made by November 3 for the November 6 event, with tickets and more information available by calling (309)631-0167 or visiting Womens-Connection.org.
Music
Sweet Plantain
Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center
Saturday, November 8, 7 p.m.
What are the necessary ingredients for Sweet Plantain? Well, according to the Food Network, they're butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and two or three ripe plantain bananas. But if you're a fan of the classical-crossover ensemble serving as Quad City Arts' latest Visiting Artists, they're four intensely gifted musicians and a repertoire that effectively blends classical, jazz, hip-hop, and Latin stylings. Just as tasty as that banana dish, but with far fewer carbohydrates.
Performing its public concert at the Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center on November 8, the New York-based quartet Sweet Plantain has, since its 2007 inception, been dedicated to new and genre-hopping possibilities in chamber music - specifically, in adding flavor to the mix via its instrumentalists' wide-ranging musical histories. And, oh, what deeply impressive and intimidating histories they are.
Violinist Eddie Venegas, for example, is a native Venezuelan who received his master's degree at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, has performed at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, and has been a longtime regular with Marc Anthony's band. Cellist Wayne Smith, meanwhile, has played with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Moody Blues, was a featured soloist on the PBS series Musical Encounters, and has toured extensively throughout Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and China.
Joe Deninzon, another of Sweet Plantain's violinists, received his master's at the Manhattan School of Music, has had his original music featured on the History Channel and MTV, and has worked alongside the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, and Aretha Franklin. And violist Orlando Wells has performed in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and Radio City Christmas Spectacular Orchestra, has recorded with Mariah Carey and Harry Connick Jr. and Rihanna, and served as assistant concertmaster for the Tony-winning Broadway revival of The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess.
That diverse and rather astonishing breadth of experience is evident in the quartet's infectiously rhythmic and exciting sound, a classical/modern blend that led Tony-winning conductor Stuart Malina to rave, "This virtuoso quartet brings a freshness and inventiveness to every note they play." So plan on having a ball with Sweet Plantain. I thought about writing "plan on going bananas" instead, but the Food Network has already confused the issue enough.
Admission to Sweet Plantain's public concert is free, though donations are encouraged, and more information on the night is available by calling (309)793-1213 or visiting QuadCityArts.com.
Music
Moon Hooch
Rock Island Brewing Company
Friday, November 7, 9 p.m.
On November 7, the Rock Island Brewing Company hosts an evening with the Brooklyn-based musicians of Moon Hooch, and it seems like an ideal venue for the band, considering that RIBCO can provide you with plenty of hooch. Considering the trio's YouTube video for their song "Milk & Waffles" climaxes with drummer James Muschler walking naked across a freeway bridge, you may also be provided with plenty of moon.
Performing a unique blend of pop, jazz, rock, funk, and what its members call "cave music" - described on the group's Web site as "like house music, but more primitive and jagged and raw" - Moon Hooch originated when Muschler and saxophonists Wenzl McGowen and Mike Wilbur met as students at New York City's New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. Their shared musical sensibilities and passion for experimentation led to their first gig in the summer of 2010 - a non-paying one, busking in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not long afterward, the band played another low-profile concert on a train platform in Brooklyn ... but not low-profile enough to keep the NYPD from quickly shutting the party down.
But what a difference four years makes. Since those humble beginnings, Moon Hooch has gone on to find its self-titled debut album from 2013 in the top 10 on Billboard's Jazz Albums charts, and this September's This Is Cave Music praised by NPR for its "restraint and attention to detail" and the musicians' "virtuoso skill" and "remarkable abilities." The trio has toured alongside Lotus, Mike Doughty, Galactic, and There Might Be Giants, with the latter band's John Flansburgh quoted as saying, "There is not a band harder to describe or easier to enjoy than Moon Hooch." Their current national tour finds the musicians hitting 11 states in November alone, with the exhilaration they deliver on dance floors inspiring the Harrisburg Patriot News to call them "a band that will keep you moving all night."
And if you're not yet convinced that Moon Hooch has cornered the market on cool, take a peek at the group's Web-site side project CookingInTheCave.net, in which the guys provide succulent-looking recipes for "eating healthy, local, vegan, and on a budget while touring across the United States in a van playing rock shows." Gotta love a band that shares its Hooch and its grub.
For more information on Moon Hooch's Rock Island concert, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Theatre
Clybourne Park
Village Theatre
Friday, November 7, through Sunday, November 16
"Hey, Jeff!"
"Hi, Mike. I heard you feverishly typing away over there ... ."
"Indeed! I was so psyched to write my What's Happenin' about New Ground Theatre's season-opener at the Village Theatre that the words flew fast and furious - just as they will in the company's November 7 through 16 presentation of Clybourne Park!"
"I've heard of that show. Won a Pulitzer, right?"
"That it did! Bruce Norris' 2010 comedy/drama won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the Tony Award for Best Play, and the U.K.'s Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play ... !"
"And this is the one that's inspired by the Lorraine Hansberry classic A Raisin in the Sun?"
"Right again, Jeff! It's really an amazing show, because it's all set in the suburban house that Raisin's Younger family plans to move into! The first act takes place in 1959, mere minutes after the end of Hansberry's play, and deals with the fear and paranoia the area's white residents feel about having a black family as neighbors. And then, in Act II, we jump to the same location in 2009, when the now all-black neighborhood has to contend with the new arrival of a white couple. Clybourne Park is about race relations, and gentrification, and political and cultural cruelty ... ."
"So it's a pretty serious work."
"But that's the thing! Norris' play is serious, yet it's also unexpectedly hilarious! The New York Times, for instance, called it a 'a strong, ferociously smart play,' but also a 'sharp-witted, sharp-toothed comedy of American uneasiness.' And Variety raved, 'Yes, it's dangerous and provocative, but pulverizingly funny to boot.'"
"Sounds great."
"A great show for actors, too! Because after New Ground's Cacciona Bernstrom, Tyler Henning, Shana Kulhavy, Ryan Mauritz, Mark McGinn, Chris Page, and Kelly Thompson play one set of roles in Act I of director Chris Jansen's production, they all turn around and play completely different characters in Act II! To be honest, I'm so jealous that I'm kind of hoping someone gets sick and I'll be asked to sub. That's why I'm wearing a Cybourne Park costume right now."
"Um ... costume?"
"Yeah. I'm dressed as McGinn's character Russ."
"Lemme guess. Middle-aged white guy?"
"It's the role I was born to play!"
Clybourne Park runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., and tickets and information are available by calling (563)326-7529 or visiting NewGroundTheatre.org.
What Else Is Happenin' ...?
MUSIC
Thursday, October 30 - SpokFrevo Orchestra. Big-band jazz infused with Brazilian stylings in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-30. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Friday, October 31 - Boneyard Boogie. Tenth-annual Halloween party with sets by Dirt Road Rockers and Corporate Rock, a costume contest, free admission, pizza, koozies to the first 200 attendees, and more. Outside the Daiquiri Factory (1809 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. gates. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit DaiquiriFactory.com.
Friday, October 31 - The Candymakers Halloween Shows. Blues/rock musicians perform a 6:30 p.m. family concert and a 10:15 p.m. CD-release concert, with costume contests at both shows. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). $10/concert, $15/both, ages 10 and under free with a paid adult. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, October 31 - Codfish Hollow-een Part Two. Concert with headliners Har Mar Superstar, The Candy Boys, and Macaulay Culkin's ensemble The Pizza Underground. Codfish Hollow Barn (5013 288th Avenue, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $20-25. For tickets and information, visit CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.
Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra: A Passion for Life. The Masterworks concerts with Mark Russell Smith conducting a world premiere by James Romig, Brahms' Violin Concerto, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6: Pathetique, with guest violinist Erin Keefe. Saturday: Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport), 8 p.m., $15.35-66.35. Sunday: Augustana College's Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island), 2 p.m., $13.50-39.50. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com.
Wednesday, November 5 - Tommy Dorsey Big Band Orchestra. Big band in concert, featuring Iowa native Terry Meyers. Central Performing Arts Center (519 East 11th Street, DeWitt). 7:30 p.m. $10-28. For tickets and information, call (563)659-3811 or visit CentralPerformingArtsCenter.org.
Thursday, November 6 - James Taylor & His All-Star Band. Concert with the chart-topping, multi-platinum-selling folk singer/songwriter and his ensemble. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 8 p.m. $67.50-87.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
Friday, November 7 - Euforquestra and Jon Wayne & the Pain. An evening with the Afro-beat, funk, and reggae musicians. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8:30 p.m. $11.50-14. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, November 7 - Frank Sinatra Jr. Tunes from the Great American Songbook performed by the legend's son. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $45-65. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Saturday, November 8 - Ignite the Will and King of Clubz. Hardcore and metal artists in concert, with sets by Straight Up! and Cool Off. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $11.50. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, November 8 - Roberta Flack. Concert with the chart-topping, Grammy-winning jazz, pop, and R&B singer, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 7:30 p.m. $10-45. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Sunday, November 9 - Mötley Crüe. Farewell-tour performance with the multi-platinum-selling rockers, appearing with special guest Alice Cooper. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7 p.m. $20-95. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
Tuesday, November 11 - An Irish Christmas. Holiday storytelling, songs, and dance with the touring Celtic performers. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $20-35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Wednesday, November 12 - Darlingside. Indie-folk musicians perform the RME Member Appreciation Show. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $6.50, or free for Friends of the RME. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
THEATRE
Thursday, October 30, through Sunday, November 16 - Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy. Old Creamery Studio Theatre (3023 220th Trail, Amana). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays and Thursdays 2 p.m. $18.50-28. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6262 or visit OldCreamery.com.
Saturday, November 1 - Dogs of Rwanda. Working Group Theatre's drama by Sean Christopher Lewis, with the artists and audience together on-stage. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Sunday, November 2 - Menopause: The Musical. Musical-comedy "celebration" of hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, and weight gain. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. $27-55. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
Wednesday, November 5, through Sunday, December 28 - Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Stage version of the holiday screen musical, directed by Ann Nieman. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Fridays, Saturdays, Wednesdays, and November 5 and 6: 6-7 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. pre-show, 7:45 p.m. show. Sundays: 4-5 p.m. buffet, 5:15 p.m. pre-show, 5:45 p.m. show. Wednesday matinées: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. plated lunch, 1 p.m. pre-show, 1:30 p.m. show. $44.41-50.16. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Thursday, November 6, through Sunday, November 16 - Cheaper by the Dozen. Family comedy by Ernestine Carey, directed by Joe DePauw. Richmond Hill Barn Theatre (600 HK Robinson Drive, Geneseo). Thursdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2244 or visit RHPlayers.com.
Saturday, November 8 - The Wiz. Touring production of the Tony-winning musical adapted from The Wizard of Oz. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $25. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
DANCE
Sunday, November 9 - The Legend of Love. One of Yuri Grigorovich's earliest choreographic works performed by the Bolshoi principals, soloists, and corps de ballet. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 2 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
KIDS' STUFF
Thursday, October 30 - Fright Night in the District. Annual outdoor Halloween party for kids, featuring a costume contest, games, crafts, stories, and trick-or-treating. The District of Rock Island. 5-8 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit RIDistrict.com.
Friday, October 31 - Mayor's Halloween Parade. Annual holiday parade featuring decorated floats and vehicles, live music, treats for the kids, and more. Downtown Davenport. 7 p.m. Free. For information, visit CityOfDavenportIowa.com.
Sunday, November 2 - Day of the Dead Family Fiesta. Families celebrate the cultural traditions of El Día de los Muertos through art projects, performances, music, and food. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Noon-5 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArt.org.
LITERATURE
Saturday, November 1 - SPECTRA Poetry Reading. A night with Sean Thomas Dougherty, Brian Russell, and CM Burroughs co-presented by the Midwest Writing Center. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (563)324-1410 or visit RozzTox.com.
LECTURE
Sunday, November 9 - Stories from Iraq. Ann Hochhausen, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Army Nurse Corps, gives a presentation on her deployment with the 28th Combat Support Hospital to Iraq, will review and critique how the US became involved in a preemptive warn, and share a year's worth of stories and letters. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Great Hall (121 West 12th Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (563)323-9989 or visit QCTrinity.org.
VISUAL ARTS
Saturday, November 8, through Sunday, February 8 - 2014 College Invitational. Seventh-annual exhibit featuring artwork by students from Ashford University, Augustana College, Black Hawk College, Knox College, Monmouth College, St. Ambrose University, Scott Community College, the University of Iowa, and Western Illinois University. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m -5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArt.org.
EVENTS
Saturday, November 1 - Bottom's Up Quad City Burlesque: Seven Deadly Sins. Performance with the area burlesque artists and comedians employing themes of wrath, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and gluttony. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $18-20. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Friday, November 7, through Sunday, November 9 - Antique Spectacular. Bi-annual event featuring hundreds of unique items sold by dozens of vendors and retailers. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $7. For information, call (712)326-9964 or visit AntiqueSpectacular.com.
